In a tournament that has grown into one of the most visible grassroots football platforms in Lagos State, Fortune FC and Labro Girls wrote their names into the competition’s history books after hard-fought victories in their respective finals.
The boys’ final saw Fortune FC of Oshodi assert control with a disciplined performance, defeating FC Dynamos of Iwaya 2-0 to secure the trophy. The girls’ final, however, was far tighter, as Labro Girls from Ipaja edged past Starlet Girls from Idimu 5-4 on penalties after 90 minutes of goalless but tense football.
Both winning teams received ₦400,000 each, while the runners-up took home ₦300,000 apiece, underscoring the tournament’s growing incentive structure for youth development.
The competition, organised by the Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association and sponsored by SIFAX Group, featured 56 teams in total—32 boys’ teams and 24 girls’ teams—drawn from across Lagos, reinforcing its reputation as one of the state’s most inclusive youth football events.
Beyond competition, the tournament also serves a symbolic purpose: it is staged annually to mark the birthday of SIFAX Group Executive Chairman, Dr Taiwo Afolabi, who has consistently used the platform to support youth sports development.
Speaking after the finals, Dr Afolabi emphasized the broader vision behind his decade-long commitment to the tournament.
“I decided to sponsor this tournament for the past 10 years because we use it to celebrate my birthday every year, but more importantly, we need to motivate and encourage these players because they are our future,” said Taiwo Afolabi.
He also highlighted football’s global power to unite and inspire, referencing Nigeria’s football legends.
“What unites the world is football. There is no doubt about that. People like the legends Amokachi, Okocha, Kanu — they travelled out of this country and made us proud. I am doing this to support and complement what the federal government is doing.”
The 64-year-old businessman expressed satisfaction with the tournament’s steady growth over the past decade and hinted at future expansion plans, including wider participation and the attraction of additional sponsors.
He also offered words of encouragement to both winners and losers, stressing resilience and continued effort.
“My message for the winners is that they must continue to be the best. And the losers, once you fail, you can still rise up again. There are still opportunities for them to win this tournament in the subsequent editions,” he said.
Over the years, the competition has evolved into a recognised scouting ground for emerging football talent in Nigeria. Several participants have gone on to represent the country or secure professional contracts abroad, reinforcing its reputation as a genuine pathway to elite football.
Among its notable alumni is Super Eagles midfielder Samson Tijani, discovered during the 2019 edition and now playing for Dukla Prague in the Czech Republic. Others include Soliu Afolabi of Slovan Liberec, Chijioke Light, who has featured for Nigeria at the WAFU Championship and the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and Ebenezer Ojo, discovered in 2022 and currently playing in the Norwegian league.
As the tournament marks its 10th anniversary, attention is already shifting toward how it can further scale its impact—both in nurturing grassroots talent and expanding opportunities for young footballers across Lagos.
